Marquez: Winds were on the limit for safety

Marc Marquez feels there was a possibility to complete qualifying despite the strong winds at Phillip Island but accepts with safety concerns in mind it was a sensible call.

Strong gusts made track running tricky throughout Saturday at the Australian MotoGP as FP4 was suspended by a red flag moments after Miguel Oliveira crashed at Turn 1 when the Red Bull Tech3 KTM rider was blown off track at the end of the main straight.

The suspension of the final practice session triggered an emergency Safety Commission meeting at Phillip Island as riders voted on whether it was safe to continue.

With the majority of riders feeling it wasn’t safe enough to complete qualifying as scheduled, a new Sunday programme has been drawn up which sees qualifying take place directly after the warm-up session to decide the grid for the Australian GP – subject to weather conditions.

Marquez accepts conditions were “very dangerous” during FP4 due to the unique characteristics at Phillip Island with the track layout mapped out with multiple high-speed corners many of which are badly exposed to coastal winds.

“In my opinion of course there was a small chance to ride as we were riding until the red flag but it is true that is was very dangerous, especially as the wind was there and the speed on this circuit,” Marquez said. “There are really high-speed corners and the wind effects it a lot.

“I was riding alone and alone it was a problem and you feel it but it was inside the limit. It looks like when the riders overtake like Johann with Oliveira then you feel it much more.

“For a safety issue we decided to cancel and tomorrow is another day. It was only a qualifying practice so no chance to take a lot of risks for the riders especially with the high-speed corners like Turn 1.”

Marquez also confirmed the strong winds forecast had been discussed during the regular Friday meeting of the Safety Commission with MotoGP organisers aware of the potential risks if winds became too fierce. During FP4 the strongest winds were recorded between 60kmh to 80kmh.

“Yesterday we already spoke about it and what would happen if the wind would be very strong and we know that here in the past some riders have ridden in strong winds,” he explained. “Moto2 riders were riding with the same wind like us.

“But in MotoGP when you arrive at 330kmh at the end of the straight it was shaking a lot then… in my opinion it was very at the limit but still able to ride.

“Tomorrow we have another day and for the safety of the riders we decided not to ride.”

When asked about changing his approach to suit the conditions, the Repsol Honda rider said he was aware of the wind but didn’t feel he had to make drastic alterations on track.

“Mentally you need to be convinced about going into the corner, this is something that you just have to believe,  it is not a special preparation,” he said.

“About the wind, it is not the first time here in Phillip Island. It is true that it was very strong but it is not the first time.

“On the main straight you need to be on the right side because you know when you finish past the grandstand the wind will push so you move to the middle of the track and when you check how is the wind push you try to find the correct line.”